Top 10 Best Breaking Bad Characters

The Top Ten
1 Walter White Walter "Walt" Hartwell White Sr. is a fictional character and the main protagonist of Breaking Bad, portrayed by Bryan Cranston.

I think the transition from good to bad is extremely fascinating for anyone who watches the show. Walter White reaches the peak of his greed and cruelty during the first half of Season 5. Yet, when he commits various acts, there's a part of you that understands why he does what he does, given his situation. For example, if Walt didn't let Jane die, Jesse would have overdosed on heroin and died, and Jane probably would have died too. He made that decision to save Jesse, and it hurt him to do that.

If he didn't have Jesse kill Gale, Walt would be dead, and Jesse probably would die too. If he didn't poison Brock, not only would he die, but everyone in his family would too. He also knew exactly how much to give him in order to keep him alive. The one time that I think he went too far was when he killed Mike, because there was no reason whatsoever to do it.

I was fine with the prison killings because it sort of felt like a great big victory, not just for Walt, but for his family, until he left that book right in plain sight for Hank to find it. Overall, he's a badass, interesting, yet understandable character. He's the best anti-hero in TV history, even over Dexter, because Walt kills people when his life or his double life is in danger, and Dexter kills because he likes it.

2 Jesse Pinkman

There isn't one season where we don't sympathize with the good-hearted meth head. From his romances cut short to his neglecting family, his life is constantly throwing shade at him. Regardless, he's smarter than the characters give him credit for, great with kids, and overall a good person with potential. No one could've played Pinkman better than Aaron Paul. May you and Mr. White reign over television beyond eternities.

Jesse is so much better than Walt. Walt transitions from an extremely likable character into an evil, power-hungry maniac. He destroys every other character in the show's lives and uses cancer, and his family as justification for his lust for power. Although his character is well portrayed by Bryan Cranston, the only thing he could possibly rank number 1 in is the most unlikable characters of all time.

3 Mike Ehrmantraut Michael "Mike" Ehrmantraut is a fictional character in Breaking Bad and its spinoff prequel Better Call Saul, played by Jonathan Banks.

One of the creepier but strangely likable major characters, Mike is the stoic Rambo of senior citizens. He's another deeply morally flawed character, obviously a caring grandpa but with no compunction about blowing people away.

He's like my favorite character ever! He's so wise, loyal, and despite all the things that go through his life, he never tried to kill any innocent person. He's a character to die for and root for. Rip legend.

Mike has both a good side and an evil side. A loving grandfather for his granddaughter and also a ruthless and deadly man. This guy is awesome.

4 Saul Goodman Jimmy McGill (Trade name "Saul Goodman") is a fictional television series character created by Vince Gilligan. He is a main supporting character in Breaking Bad and the titular protagonist of its prequel Better Call Saul.

Legally born James Morgan McGill, Saul felt he could never get anywhere in life by doing good. Clueless to the concept of proper law practice, Jimmy decided to let it go, becoming a lawyer for criminals. He's a very fun character, morally ambiguous, yet seeming like this charming, affable person who wants what's best for everyone. Until he suggests putting a hit on Jesse, that is. He's very lost and misguided, and that's what's so fascinating about him.

Another deeply morally flawed character whose humor, charm, and sleaze, yet actual command of the law, were counterpoints to the horrors of Jesse and Walt's meth life. Bob Odenkirk is a fabulous actor and shines in the prequel Better Call Saul.

5 Gus Fring

I like to think that Gus didn't actually order his dealers to kill Tomas. If you don't count that, then there is only one murder he commits throughout the series that isn't purely about making Hector suffer for what he did to his friend all those years ago.

That kind of dynamic is just so interesting, and it makes Gus stick out in my head. I'm kind of disappointed that they went with Saul for the spin-off because Gus seems much more fascinating. I definitely could have used more scenes with Gus and his "brother."

Of course, I don't even need to mention his amazing death scene, which is perfect. If I forget everything about the series, I will still remember that scene.

6 Hank Schrader

Arguably the best character in the series. And by best, I mean as a DEA agent, as a brother-in-law, and a good man in general. He didn't deserve what he got in the end, but we all knew it was going to happen at some point because every step he took to further the Heisenberg case only led to increased risks to his life. Lego ASAC Schrader!

Perhaps the least morally flawed major character of the series, Hank is true to his calling in law enforcement, even to his death. I found him somewhat sexist and too traditionally male towards his wife, but the acting was terrific.

7 Tuco Salamanca

Though he only appeared in a total of five episodes, Tuco was a herald towards a bigger, much darker story revealed in season 4. He is also the show's only extroverted villain, and Raymond Cruz makes the most of it. He's frighteningly psychotic yet also a ton of fun to watch. It seemed like he was going to literally fly off the walls every time he inhaled any meth.

His family life is also implied to be very intriguing. He loves his grandma, as shown in 'Better Call Saul', and his uncle... his relationship with his uncle was a complicated one. Though a legitimate threat, Tuco was also an entertaining one, and should he appear again in 'Better Call Saul', he's always welcome.

8 Skyler White

So much to say about Skyler. The comments against her are a reflection of a double standard in gender roles. Skyler is not the perfect wife or the perfect mother. In fact, she and Walt have several aspects in common which people accept more about Walt. Like her husband, she lies and keeps secrets. She hid the fact that she was having an affair with Ted at the same time Walt was first leading his double life as a meth cook.

She has drive and initiative. She's not afraid to try dirty tricks to get her own way when she aids Walt in the money laundering operation. She is just as manipulative and dangerous as him, though not quite as physical. She's smart, possibly smarter than him. She's definitely more logical than him and provides a good foil to Walt's increasing paranoia and delusions of grandeur.

Despite all this, unlike Walt, she has more of a domestic role to fill. On one hand, this makes her an overbearing mother, one filling a traditional role of a wife in a television series. On the other hand, her relative closeness to her son and her much more personable nature make her more redeemable than her distant yet desperate ex-husband.

9 Hector Salamanca

The fact that a bell is the most terrifying sound on the show should tell you something about how great Hector is.

Once he rings the bell, you know you're screwed.

10 Huell Babineaux

Come on, Huell is awesome. He's played by Lavell Crawford, who is a great stand-up comedian. He is the perfect bodyguard for Saul because they both add humor to the show.

THE GOAT. Deserved way more than 12 min of screen time. He's just such a unique character.

The Contenders
11 Walter White Jr.

Why isn't this guy higher up? He should be number 1! Seriously, look at him! Observe how tough he is! Consider all he has gone through, and yet his spirit remains as tough as ever. He is the one who is able to hold the family together, and he's only 16! What kind of teenager manages to do that? The White family, plus almost everyone here, must barely realize how lucky they are to have him. He is always kind and nurturing.

Perhaps the most likable and charming character in the show. He's the only one genuinely trying to be a good person and live his best life. Even though he sometimes snaps at Skyler or Walt, they usually deserve it, and he's easily the best person out of the main nine characters.

12 Skinny Pete
13 Badger
14 Jane Margolis
15 Kim Wexler
16 Chuck McGill
17 Old Joe
18 Nacho Varga
19 Jack Welker

Despite being another short-lived primary antagonist, he did some of the most damage in the series. From killing poor Hank and murdering Jesse's second girlfriend, he was a walking pile of destruction that needed to be put down.

Say what you will about the man's morality, but at least he gets it done. I'd love to see a show about the gang.

20 Howard Hamlin
21 Gale Boetticher

By far the most missed character upon his death. I personally relate to that character and seeing him die struck me hard.

Gale is just like me. He's my favorite character.

Gale is the best character in the worst job.

22 Patrick Kuby
23 Marie Schrader

Underrated character. Marie is annoying and exhibits grandiosity most of the time but is redeemed by her dedication to her husband, sister, and family.

Such a fun character, and Betsy Brandt gives one of the best performances in the show.

I think her character is the comic relief in the show, so funny.

24 Andrea Cantillo
25 Combo

I love Combo! I met Rodney Rush, the actor who plays him, and he is amazing as well.

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